Chris Hughton is sure to have been disappointed after a spirited display

His cute backheel returned the ball to Surman, who kept his cool as challenges flew in and then passed the ball into the corner of the net.

And then Ibe found Defoe, who finally did what he has always done best. The right-foot shot he buried in the bottom corner was his first Bournemouth goal since the final game of his loan spell in May 2001.

Worth the wait? Time will tell.

INTERACTIVE STATS – CLICK on the categories to find out how the teams fared

Match Stats

INTERACTIVE LINE-UPS– CLICK on a player’s number below to see their stats

MatchDay Live

FACTS, STATS, GOALS AND LOLS

Tonight was the first-ever top flight meeting between the pair

It becomes the 1420th different game in the highest division between two teams

Bournemouth have won just five of their 24 Premier League games in 2017

Brighton became the 39th different club that Jermain Defoe has played against in the top flight

Bournemouth avoided becoming the fifth team in Premier League history to start the season with five consecutive defeats

Bournemouth are now unbeaten in their last seven games against Brighton, with the Seagulls winning just one of their last nine visits to their south coast rivals

Pascal Gross has now been involved in all four of Brighton’s goals this season